A Clean Separation

Leona didn't turn around.

Her eyes stayed on the garden below — the wet grass, the fountain, the early light still deciding what kind of morning it wanted to be.

"When did I give you permission to touch me?"

Her voice was even. Not loud. Not sharp in the way of someone reacting. Just a statement delivered with the particular flatness of someone who meant it exactly as it sounded.

"Let go. Before I